Submarine mine



March 17, 1925.

G. E. ELIA SUBMARINE MINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 rah 17, 1925. 1,530,158

6'. E. ELIA SUBMARINE MINE Filed Sept. 25, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 v March 17, 1925.-

G. E. ELlA SUBMARINE MINE Filed Sept. 25, 1924 5 Sh ts-Sheet 4 March 17, 1925. 1,530,158

C5.vE. El.hA

SUBMARINE MINE Filed Sept. 25, 1924 5 Sheets Sheet 5 GIOVANNI ravmuunnn nun, or wnsrnrnswnn, LONDON, ENGLAND, VICKERS LIMITED, or LONDON, ENGLAND.

SUBMARINE MINE.

Application filed September 25, 1924. Serial No. 739,824.,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that; I, GIOVANNI EMANUELE ELIA, a subject of the King ofItaly, of Vickers House, Broadway, Testminster, in the county of London, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in or Relating to Submarine Mines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to submarine mines of the kind in which auxiliary contact devices are provided (in addition to those usually furnished on the flotation chamber),

' said devices being carried on the mooring cable itself or on auxiliary conductors attached to the flotation Ollillilbl or attached to both the flotation chamber and the mooring cable or anchor, the arrangement ,being such that the explosionof the mine is produced either by contact with the flotation chamber itself or with any one of the aforesaid contact devices.

According to the present invention the auxiliary contact devices are constituted by cables or conductors on which hooks or their equivalent are mounted at suitable distances apart along its length, said hooks when struck or dragged by a passing submarine, the tow line of a paravane, or the like, being adapted to move relatively to said cables or conductors and to actuate contact devices which serve to complete an electric circuit and explode the ,mine. To this end the auxiliary contact devices may be constituted by cables or conductorson which a flexible and slidable sleeve is mounted to which the aforesaid hooks are attached, said hooks when struck by a passing Submarine or the like being adapted'to cause relative movement to take place between the Sleeve and the cable or conductor. On thesleeve beingmoved a striker provided in the flotation chamber may be adapted to be cooked andthereafter released to produce the rupture of a tube containing an electrolyte, which latter is employed to energize a pile battery, the current from whichcactuates an electric detonator forming part of the firing gear. A'soluble plug may be provided in order to prevent movement of the sliding sleeve or actuation of the striker until the lapse of a predetermined interval after launching, In cases where the auxiliary cable is attached to the flotation chamber and supported by means of a float, the latter may be provided with contact devices such as horn batteries of similar construction to those on the flotation chamber or mine proper and the cable nay-be provided within its interior with electric conductors which are in circuit with the said horn batteries and with the firing gear of the mine, the arrangement being'such that, .on one of the horn batteries on the float being struck, the

battery is energized and the firing gear of fully with reference to' the accompanying drawings which show by way ofexainple a submarine mine constructed according to the present invention, and in which Figure l is an elevation of the complete mine and Figure 2 is a plan.

Figure .3 is sectional eleva ion of t complete mine showing the same in position on the launching rails, and

Figure 4: is ajsection through the sinker showing part of the plummet release and pawling gear. a

Figures 5 and 6 are sectional views on an enlarged scale showing, respectively, the details of construction of the lower and upper sections of the auxiliary firing gear.

Figure 7 is aview showing the disposition nssieuon I TO of the parts of the mine after the latter has been launched and during the paying out of the mooring cable from the sinker.

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view showing a submarine boat striking the upper section of the auxiliary firing gear; in this position the hooks on the cable will catch on. the external projections on the hull of the submarine and the pull on the cable will operate the auxiliary firing battery in the mine. Figure 9 shows diagrammatica-lly a'surtace vessel striking oneof the horns on the upper float. In this instance the bending of the horn struck by the vessel will energize its battery and fire the detonator of the mine through the contact circuit which is located within and forms the core of the length of cable extending between the float and the mine.

Figure 10 is a diagrammatic viw showingthe auxiliary firing gear acting as an antlparavanc defence. When'the towhne of could be effected. Owing to the heavy explosive charge carried within ,the flotation chamber and with a paravane towed even at a distance of metres from the vessel, the latter would still be within the effective range of the mine even if the paravane wire struck the cable at its extreme range. The

maximum spread, however, of the paravane against submarine mines.

from the centre line of a vessel, which is at present considered practicable is about 35 metres. Consequently and by reasonof the present invention the paravane is rendered useless as a means of protecting a ship On' the contrary the use of the paravane willonly serve to increase the effectiveness of the mine, as mines fitted with the auxiliary firing gear and spaced at metres apart will form a continuous firing zone for a surface vessel carrying paravanes with a 30 metres spread on each side of its fore and'aft line.

- Figure 11 shows a small buoy connected to the upper floatcon'taining a switch'which is connected to the firing circuit in the float.

This buoy when used during trials will enable the mine circuits to be made safe if it is desired to sweep or lift themine. The float can be picked up by a small boat and the buoy opened to operate a switch, which when actuated short-circuits-the circuit from the float to the mine. If any of the mine horns are broken in sweeping or'lifting the mine the short-circuited circuits to the switch form a shunt on the circuit from the mine battery to the detonator, with a resistance relatively smaller than that of the batterydetonator circuit, so that the current flowing through the detonator is so reduced as to be less than the minimum required to fire the detonator. 1 v

A is the casing of the flotation chamber or mine proper which is made strong enough to withstand safely submersion at a depth of say 100 metres. A is the charge case which, in the example shown, is adapted to contain 300 kg. of explosive, and which is removable through a flange in the top of the mine. A tube B is fixed horizontally throughthe middle of the charge case, forming a chamber" into which is inserted a closed tube C fixed to a flange D the tube C being inserted through the side of the mine H y and forming a container for the primer tube V E. When the tube E is pushed home, a spring F located at the end of the closed tubeC is compressed and the tube is held inposition by a trigger G operated by means of a Bowden wire connection H from the mooring spindle H of the mine. J is an electric detonator which is carried on the end of a tube J fixed to a detona-tor holder K which makes contact with the leads K K of the battery circuits. In view of this arrangement and when the mooring spindle H moves to-operative position under the influence ofthe tension on the mooring cable acting through the pivoted lever H, the primer tube E'is' released, and the spring 'F pushes it into contact with the detonator J. The firing mechanism plate L inrthe bottom of the mine is fitted with a safety switch H H H of the type doscribed in our pending United Statesapplication Serial No. 661,754: which controls the battery circuits, and which is operated .by'

the buoyancy of the mine, subsequent to the operation of a soluble plug safety device (not shown), while, as described above, the

movement of the mooring'cable spindle H which forms part of the safety device, also actuates the Bowden Wire connection H and allows the spring 'F to pushthe primer E into contact with the detonator J. In the example shown, the casing A of the flotatlon chamber ormme proper 1s provided with six horn batteries A A of the well known Hertz type. M is a cylindrical skirt fixed to the lower part of the casingA which is seated upon the sinker N. 'O is a float which supportslthe upper auxiliaryfiring cable 0 and which is provided with four horn batteries 0 also of the Hertz ty e which, by leads K K an electric cable which forms the core of the auxiliarycable O and leads K K are connected to the detonator circuit li K of the mine.

' P is the mooring rope which is carried on a horizontal drum P formed of two steel pressings, riveted together and connected to a central hub P which runs on bearings P", P ,on a central pillar P whichgalso serves to' connect together the upper and lOwer covers P, P which, together with the circumferential plate N form a watertight casing for the drum P and mooring rope P.

The circumferential plate N fits closely around the rim of the mooring rope drum P so as to render it impossible forthe mooring rope P to leave the sides of the drum P Q. is the plummet which is positioned, be-

fore launching of the mine, on the side of the sinker N, and is located directly over one of the launching rails R by means of an arrangement of links Sand a roller S such that it is normally supported by the rail R but is free to drop mmediately the sinker N leaves the rails R R under the control of a dashpot mechanism which delays its release until after the mine and sinker combination returns to the surface. The plummet Q is connected to the sinker N by the requisite length of chain'or cable, one end of the chain being attached to a lever B in such manner that the plummet Q hangs vertically under the centre line of the sinker N during the descent of the sinker to the sea bed, as shown at Figure 7. The weight of the plummet Q acting on the lever R, holds the pawling leverT out of action against the influence of a strong spring T until the weight of the plummet is relieved by contact with the sea bed whereupon the spring T forces the pawling lever T into engagement with one of the notches U on an annular plate U which is rivieted to the upper part of the mooring rope druin'P and thereby locks the drum P The pawling gear (lever T, spring T etc.,) is initially held out of action by an antivibration gear V operated by a tooth gear drive V V from the drum P until the sinker N is well separated from the mine A. After the pawl ing gear operates, it is positively locked by a spring actuated locking lever T The flo tation chamber A is released from the sinker brakes constituted by spring controlled plunger-s X whichproduce the requisite resistance by alternately rising and falling over detents acting on teeth X on the annular plate U. The mooring rope P is led through the outside of the sinker casing over arubbing plate Y at a suflicient distance from a pulley Y to give a good angular lead.

Between the slot Y where it comes out of the casing and the pulley Y the rope P is enclosed by a cover plate Y A heavy anchor R is connected to the sinker by a universal joint, and freed when the mine leaves the sinker. A considerable portion of the total weight of the sinker is made up by cast iron balance weights Z bolted inside the sinker in such a position that their weight tends to'keep the sinker vertical when sinking. A connection Z is provided on the side of the casing for coupling up a hose to wash through the sinker after trials. Mud holes Z with detachable cover plates Z are provided in the bottom plate of the casing. The rail wheels R are fixed underneath the sinker Nand their spacing can be made to suit any desired spacing of the rails'R The auxiliary firing apparatus comprises a cable 0 extending 50 metres abovethe mine "and another cable 0 extending 50 metres below the mine, the latter being, in the example shown, constituted by a specially constructed portion of the mooring cable P. On thecables O 0 are fixed hooks 1, 1 adapted to catch on; projections on the outside of a submarine boat, or on the tow line of a par'avane, etc., with the result that an upward pull istransmitted by' the cables to mechanism (hereinafter described) on the flotation chamber A. This pull effects the release of a spring operated striker, which fractures a glass'tube con-' taining electrolyte, which in turn energizes a battery in the same manner as in the horn and battery units. The auxiliary batteries are connected to the firing circuit of the mine in the same manner as the horn bat in the example shown has a netbuoyancy of 22-0 kg. The pull due to the buoyancy of the float O is transmitted directly to the flotation chamber A by ineans of an inner mooring cable 2, the core'of which contains the insulated wires 0 c-onnecti'ngthe horn batteries 0 of the float through the leads 1 ,1? to the firing circuit of the mine. passes at its upper end through a watertight gland 0* into the float O and at its lower end through a watertight gland O The inner core of the cable 2.

into the flotation chamber A. [The auxil iary firing apparatus on both. the cables 0" and O comprises a flexible inetallictubular sleeve? surrounding the cable 2 and the mooring cable The sleeve '2 slides freely on the cables 2 and P, and the interior space between the sleeve 2 and the cables P and O is Jacked with rease toensure easy working, and the parts rendered watertight by a rubbered outer covering. The hooks 1, l are attached to the outside of the sleeve 2 by clamps 3, 3 and are spaced at suitable intervals apart of, say, one metre. In the case of the auxiliary cable the upper end of the sleeve 2 is connected to the float O by a concertina-like pieced" which excludes water but permits the sleeve 2 to move upwards freely when pulled by a sul marine boat etc. The lower end of the sleeve 2" is also connected to a casing A" on the top of the flotation chambe A by a corn certina-like piece '5". The lower end of the sleet e2 is connected to mechanism 6 which when the sleeve 2 is actuated, retrazts the striker 6 andcompresses the striker spring 6". hen the balls 7 which are accommodated with a groove '1 in the striker rod, come opposite the openings 8, 8 they move out laterally, thus releasing the striker 6 "from the fixed part 7 and the reaction of the spring. 6 iinpels the striker into contact with the glass tube 9 located above thebattery 10 thus releasing the-electrolyte contained within the said tube 9 and energiz- 'ing the battery 10 the current generated in which passes through the leads M, 71: to the switch of the electric detonator K in well known manner. A rubber diaphragm 10' is provided for the purpose of making a watertight connection for the parts of the firing mechanism. A soluble plug (not shown) is also provided which only permits the firing mechanism to be operated after the mine has been launched and is moored to the sea bed. The lower auxiliary firing gear, which is of substantially similar construction to that of the upper aux iliary firing gear, also comprises a flexible metallic sleeve 2 surrounding the upper part of the mooring cable P. The mooring I cable P extends through the center of said sleeve 2* and is connected at its upper end I by meansot an eye 13 to thepivoted lever chamber A.

, striker.

H which is mounted upon the flotation A rubbered outer. covering is also provided andsurrounds the sleeve 2 and the space between the sleeve 2 and the cable 1" is also packed with grease to ensure that the sleeve-2= will slide easily thereon. The hooks 1, Iprovided on the exterior of the sliding sleeve 2 are of similar construction to those already described in connection with the upper auxiliary firing gear, as are the concertina-like connections 5, 5 at both its upper and lower ends which allow free sliding movement of the sleeve 2 upon the cable 1, while keeping water out from the interior of the said sliding tube 2. At its upper end the sliding sleeve 2 is connected at 16 to an extension 17 of the striker rod 5 by means of a lever is pivotally attached at 15 to a lug 16 on the lower part of the mine casing. \Vhen the sliding sleeve 2 is raised owing to contact being established, between the hooks 1, l and a submarine, the towing wire of a paravane or the like, the sleeve 9i will be raised thus depressing the end of the pivoted lever 14 which is connected at 16 through the part 17 with the striker rod 5. The parts of the striker release mechanism are of similar construction to those already described in connection with the upper auxiliary firing gear, but in this case the soluble plug, which restrains the firing gear from actuation until after the mine is launched is shown at 18. On the mine being launched water enters through the opening 18' and acts on the soluble plug 18, thus dissolving the same and releasing the i A. rubber diaphragm 10 is also provided for the purpose of keeping. the parts watertight. I

Vhat I claim and desire to secureby Letters Patent of the United States is 1. A submarine mine comprising an an choring cable, a sleeve slidably mounted on said anchoring cable, hooks carried by said sleeve, said hooks when struck being adapt ed to cause relative movement to take place Y choring cable, a sleeve slidably mounted on said anchoring cable, hooks carried by said sleeve, said hooks whenstruck being adapted to cause relative movement to take place between said sleeve and said anchoring cable, the movement of said sleeve being adapted to actuate a striker and explode t he mine, and a soluble plug which prevents actuation of the sliding sleeve until the lapse of a predetermined interval after launching.

' '3. A submarine mine comprising a flotation chamber, a sinker, a mooring cable connecting said flotation chamber to said sinker, a sleeve slidably mounted upon said mooring cable, projecting contact devices carried by said sleeve, which when struck.

cause said sleeve to move relatively to said moormg'cable, a striker withln sa1dflota-' tion chamber, the movement of said sleeve being adapted to actuate said striker so as to tire the mine.

at. A' submarine mine comprising a flotation chamber, asinker, a mooring cable connecting said flotation chamber to said sinker, a'sleeve slidably mounted upon said mooring cable, projecting contact devices carried by said sleeve, which when struck,

' cause said sleeve to move relatively to said mooring cable, a striker within said flotation chamber, the movement of said sleeve being adapted to cock and thereafter re lease the striker so as to fire the mine;

y A; submarine mine comprising auxiliary contact devicesconstituted by a float attached by a cable to the flotation chamher, said float being provided with horn batteries connected through leads to the firing circuit of the mine, said horn bat teries when struck beingadapted to generate an electric current which produces the explosion of the mine.

6. A submarine mine comprising auxiliary firing apparatus constituted by a cable located between the flotation chamber and a supporting float, said cable containing electric conductors which are in circuit with horn'batterie's carried by the float atsleeve on which hooks are mounted the construction and arran ement of the arts being such that on either or both the horn batteries or the hooks being struck-the mine is exploded. v I

7 A submarine mine comprising HEX!- iliary firing apparatus constituted by a cable orconductor surrounded by a sleeve ing provided at its upper and lower ends with concertina-like parts which allow relative movement to take place between said sleeve and the interior cable or conductor, the arrangement of the parts being such that when the hooks arerstruck the sleeve is moved and a striker is first cooked and thereafter released to produce the rupture of a tube containing an electrolyte which energizes a pile battery the current from which actuates the firing gear of the mine.

8. A submarine mine as claimed in claim 6 in which a soluble plug is provided in order to prevent actuation of the slidingv sleeve until the lapse of a predetermined interval after launching.

9. A submarine mine comprising a sliding sleeve which surrounds the mooring cable and is connected to the striker mechanism through the intermediary of a pivoted lever. said sleeve on relative movement taking place between the same and the interior cable being adapted to first retract the striker and thereafter release the same to effect the explosion of the mine,

10. A submarine mine of the kind set forth provided with a spring pressed primer which is normally held out of contact with the detonator until after the mine is launched, a Bowden wire control being pro vided which is adapted to be actuated after launching of the m1ne by the increased tension on the mooring spindle so as to withdraw a locking bolt and allow ;the primer to move into contact with the detonator. c i I 1 i 11. A submarine mine comprising a flotation chamber and an anchor, a drum within said anchor, a mooring cable upon said drum, said anchor being adapted to move from a horizontal position to avertical position after launching of the mine under the influence of the specified.

12. A submarine mine of the kind set forth, comprising an anchor containing a winch drum rotatable about a centrally disposed .pivot and a ratchet plate which is adapted to be engaged and locked by a pawl, on the plummet which is connected to one end of said pawl striking the sea bed, said pawl being normally prevented from engaging with said ratchet until the expiration of a predetermined interval after. launching by means of toothed gearing and an arrangement of links and levers actuated by a toothedwheel from the said centrally located spindle.

GIOVANNI EMANUELE ELIA.

plummet for the purpose- 

